Joseph w



J. W. SHEPPARD.

Game-Registers for Cards.

Patented Oct. 7,1873.

Witnesses:

Attorneys.

Unrrnn S'rn'rns Rs'rntrr QFFICE.

JOSEPH W. SHEPPARD, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT EN GAME-REGlSTERS FOR CARDS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 14 3,536, dated October 7, 1873; application filed May 24, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Josnrn W. SHEPPARD, of the city, county, and State of New York, have in vented a new and Improved Instrument for Registering the Game of Cards, of which the following is a specification:

In the accompanying drawing, Figure l represents a top view of my improved registeringinstrument as inclosed in an outer card-box; Fig. 2, a top view of the same with part of the top plate taken off to show face-plates; Fig. 3, a sectional bottom view on the line 0 c, Fig. 4.; and Fig. i, a side view of the same taken out of the outer box, partly in section.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding p arts.

The object of my invention is to furnish to the lovers of the game of cards an improved instrument for registering the true state of the game, which denotes, audibly and visibly, to all at the table or in the room, the change of the numbers and the standing, so that unnecessary questions are avoided, and incorrect scoring or numbering obviated. The instrument forms, at the same time, an ornament to the card-table, and prevents ettectually any tampering or irregular chan gin g of the numbers. Hitherto the marking or registering has been accomplished by means of different modifica tions of a dial-face with revolving hands, which are silently moved or pushed round with the fingers to certain figures 011 the face of the dial. This method is unsatisfactory in many cases, as it too easily permits wrong numbering or changing, without full control from the players. My invention intends to obviate this by placing revolving plates, withstamped or printed figures, mider a recessed cover-plate, which a1- lows but one figure to be seen at the time. Said plates are revolved by the pressure on, or turning of, a small button or knob, which, at the same time, by suitable lever connection, rings a bell, indicating thereby the changing of the face-numbers.

In the drawing, A represents the outer case, of the size of a pack of cards, and of suitable finish. Its cover has an upper and lower recess, through which the figures indicating the standing of the game, and the initial letters indicating the game itself, are visible. A pro jeeting button or knob, B, which is pressed down or turned by the fingers, is, with its square shank a, connected to a small arm, a, attached to a lug, Z), at the lower side of the sectional face-plate D, on which the initial letters of the game are stamped or printed. Lug 7) slides, on turning plate D, in a slot, 7), of top plate 0. Through an aperture, d, of top plate G, which corresponds with that of the boX-cover, are seen the figures of the revolving plate E. The top plate 0 is connected with the lower or bottom plate G by pillars 0, both being made of metal or other suitable material, and containing between them the rotating and bell mechanism. The rotating mechanism consists of the bifurcated lever F, which is pivoted to the socket end fof button-shank a, with its fulcrum in the short lug g of bottom plate C. A band-spring, h, acts against the socket f, and forces the button 13 upward after each pressure exerted thereon. The prongs "i of lever F catch over pins '17 of a circular slidepiece, I, which is fitted, and passes up and down, over a screw, l, with quick threads, producing, with each stroke of the lever F, a partial rotation of screw Z. A sidewardly-extend ing arm, m, of lever F is provided with an up ward-projecting lug, m, which enters into slotted recesses n of a ratchetwheel, E, keyed to the lower side of the revolving plate E. Screw 1 turns in bearings of plates 0 C, an arm, G, being keyed to it, which extends immediately below ratchet wheel E, and diametrically across the same, with the recessed pawl H piv oted at the outer end thereof. A small bandspring, 0, (indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 3,) presses the pawl H against the circumference of wheel E, so that the same bears against the teeth of wheel E. The ratchetwheel E is provided with as many teeth p as there are divisions on the face-plate E. Any number and arrangement of figures may be indicated thereon, to adapt the instrument for the vari ons gan'les of cards. Between one series of figures and the next, proportionate intervals may be placed, to denote the beginning of a new game or part.

The teeth p may be cut in connection with the slotted recesses 02, as indicated in Fig. 3, the projecting part of pawl H bearing against a tooth, p, at each downward pressure of button B, by the corresponding partial turning of screw l and forward motion of arm G.

On the release of button 13, the screw 7 and arm G, with pawl H, pass back over wheel E, ready to engage the next tooth. Lug m of arm m regulates, at the same time, the extent and accuracy of eachforwardmotionof ra chetwheel E by engaging slots 12.

A bell, I, is attached to bottom plate C, and acted upon by hammer L, which is screwed to an elastic stem, q, applied to lug q. A projecting pin, 1, of stem (1 connects with ratchetteeth 1; as stem q is pressed forward by band spring 8, so that, by its gliding over teeth 1), and sudden passing into the interval between them, the hammer L strikes bell I at every partial rotation of plate E and change of figures thereon.

For the purpose of preventing the ringing of the bell when the revolving plate E indicates the intervals between separate series of figures, the recesses n are not connected through to the teeth p, but notches p substituted therefor, which are acted upon by the pawl in the same manner, giving less play to stem q, and imparting, therefore, less impetus to hammer iii! L, so that the same does not reach and strike the bell at these points.

Having thus described myinvention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters latent 1. The instrument for registering the game of cards consisting ofouter box A, main plates 0 C, button B, with bifurcated lever 1*, slide I, and arm m, sectional plate 1), screw 1, arm G, with pawl H, face-plate and ratchet-wheel E E, bell I, and hammer L, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. The button-shaft 0, arranged to operate the plate D through arm a, and plate E through lever E, slide 1, screw 1, arm G, pawl H, and wheel E, substantially as set forth.

3. The face-plate E, in combination with the notched and recessed wheel Ef, revolving arm G, and pawl H, substantially as described.

l. The shallow notches p, arranged between the series of deep spaces in wheel E, to furnish bearing for pawl 11, but not allow the bell to ring, as set forth.

JOSEPH XV. SHEPPARD.

Witnesses:

T. B. Mosnnn, ALEX. F. ltonnnrs. 

